Questions and Answers 2.docx

Questions and Answers 2 75D30126Q78862

1. Approximately how many broadcast events or transmissions are typically conducted per month through the CDC Broadcast Studio?

0. The typical transmissions conducted are based on current events which involve the CDC, for example during COVID, as many as 20 live remote interviews per day to different networks/stations; while currently, we have conducted one event in the last six months.

1. Will the CDC staff schedule and coordinate broadcast events directly with media outlets, or is the contractor expected to manage event scheduling and coordination?

1. The CDC staff will provide the media outlets with our circuit ID (or connection method), and have the signal available, it will be up to the media outlets to handle all event scheduling and coordination.

1. Are there recurring broadcast events that occur on a weekly or monthly schedule that the contractor should anticipate supporting?

2. There are only four known events per year on the current schedule that require transmission support at this time.

1. Should the contractor provide portal or monitoring access for CDC personnel to view transmission status or event activity?

3. Yes, the CDC staff should have access to confirm portal operational status, and a trouble number to report any outages.

1. The Q&A document references routing through the Encompass Digital Media fiber switching hub. Are there additional distribution endpoints or media hubs that the contractor should anticipate supporting?

4. The routing through Encompass Digital Media fiber switching hub is our current method of transmission, and was given as an example for context. The vendor is welcome to propose alternative methods they feel may be more efficient.

1. The RFQ references inbound signal paths to CDC. Could the Government clarify the typical types of inbound broadcast feeds expected (e.g., network interviews, media feeds, or other broadcast sources)?

5. The CDC anticipates inbound feeds to include: Network interviews, media feeds or live event connection to other HHS- related studios (FDA, NIH, HHS) for inclusion in a CDC Broadcast event.

1. Are there any other Government facilities or endpoints that may need connectivity through the contractor’s network during the period of performance?

6. There may be other Government Facilities (other HHS Studios) connecting as inbound feeds for broadcasts (HHS, FDA, NIH). Those facilities have connections through the Washington AVOCC (Verizon fiber switch hub). The vendor would assist in creating that connection.

1. Will CDC be able to provide rack space within the broadcast studio equipment racks for contractor-provided equipment (approximately 6RU)?

7. Yes, CDC will provide: Adequate Rack space, power, environmental control, etc. for vendor equipment within our engineering core.

1. Could the Government confirm the preferred broadcast video format (e.g., 1080i, 1080p, 720p) and the number of embedded audio channels expected?

8. The preferred format is 1080p, with two channels of embedded audio.

1. Is there any requirement for multi-language broadcast support (for example Spanish language media interviews)?

9. It is anticipated that some broadcast events (such as a Satellite Media Tour) may occur in both English and Spanish with CDC experts who are native speakers talking to those stations in that language, but transmission coordination will be done in English.

1. Is CDC anticipating any future migration of broadcast workflows toward IP-based transport versus baseband video during the period of performance?

10. The CDC is planning to upgrade our facilities to 4K – UHD format pending availability of funds. Vendors may propose an IP-based transport method in lieu of baseband fiber, provided that method meets the technical requirements.

1. The Q&A indicates the current signal path utilizes AT&T fiber connectivity to the CDC demarcation point. Should offerors assume that a secondary ISP connection will be available or required for redundancy?

11. The current signal path does utilize AT&T Fiber to connect the CDC with the Encompass hub; two outbound paths, and one inbound. Vendors may propose any transmission method that meets the technical requirements, and provide all necessary methods to accomplish that transmission. If offerors propose an ISP dependent transmission method, they should also provide the ISP service to support that transmission method. Redundant ISP connections would not be required if a single connection is capable of supporting all signal paths and meeting the technical requirements.

1. Could the Government confirm the number of expected hand-off locations for the four signal paths described in the RFQ?

12. We are a little unclear on the meaning of this question… as to “Hand-off locations”. In order to provide a response, we will describe how the current operation:

0. The CDC Will receive a request for a media interview from a Television station or network.

0. The CDC provides our Connection Point (Right now EDMI Fiber Circuit ID) to the station/network.

0. The Station/network arranges for the signal path from our EDMI Circuit to their location, The CDC is not involved in the method or costs for the connection beyond our existing link to EDMI.

0. In the Case of Satellite Media Tours, we often have a transmission path for English and use the second transmission path for Spanish. There is no “return” signals coming back to the CDC from Stations.

0. In this new contract scenario, the CDC would operate the same way, we would provide the connection information to the station, and they would be responsible for arrangements and costs to complete the connection.

0. Depending upon the transmission solution, in some scenarios, it could be possible for the station to connect directly with the CDC.

12. The CDC might connect with any network or television station within the USA, and the number of technical “hand-off” points would depend on which station we connected to.